Engine-starting apparatus



April 8, 1930. J. w. LAWSON ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, ,1928

J. W. LAWSON April 8, 1930.

ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q- J. w. LAWSON 1,753,571

ENGINE STARTIFNG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 8, .1930

warren STATES ra r JOHN w. LAWSON, or ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR To DELCO-REMY CORPORATION,

F DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ENG-INETSTARTING APPARATUS Application .filed February 17, 15328. Serial No. 255,125.

This invention relates to apparatus for starting internal combustion engines and particularly to the type of engine starting apparatus in which a motor driven pinion is moved manually into mesh with a gear connected with an engine to be started and in which the pinion is automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine be comes self-operativeregardless of whether the operator fails to release an actuating member which controls the movement of the pinion into meshwith the gear and causes the motor to operate.

In one of its aspects the present invention constitutes improvements in anengi'ne starting apparatus disclosed in the copending application of John B. Dyer, Serial No. 245,300 filed January 11, 1928. The Dyer applicaengine gear to rotate by the operation of the manually operated mechanism for rotating the pinion subjects the pinion shifting mechanism to abnormal strains. Therefore the present invention provides a meansfor rotating the splined shaftupon whlch the pinion is mounted into anew initial position, said means being operated in response to the releasing of the actuator of the pinion shiftthe accompanying drawings, wherein a pretion discloses an engine starting apparatus in which the pinion is helically splined to a motor driven shaft so that it is capable of being automatically demeshed from the engine gear, and in which the pinion is moved manually into mesh with the engine gear before the motor switch is closed. In case of gear tooth abutment, the pinion is manually rotated so thatit will be brought into meshing registration with the engine gear and then meshed with the en ine 'ear before the motor switch is closed. The manually operated mechanism is so constructedand arranged that the part which directly pushes the pinion into mesh with the gear and rotates it in case of gear tooth abutment, will be automatically retracted from the pinion before the engine becomes self-operative so that there will be no hindrance to the demeshing of the pinion although the operator should fail to release the controlling member of the starting apparatus. It sometimes happens that the abutting end faces of the pinion and gear teeth become interlocked due to roughening of these abutting end faces which may be present for various reasons. Under these circumstances it occasionally happens that the pinion cannot be turned relative to the engine gear in order to move it in meshing registration without turning the engine gear slightly so that the interlocking condition can be relieved. To. force the cil of Fig- 3 and looking in the direction 7 invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the starting apparatus embodying the present'invention. v Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the pinion actuating sleeve and a plunger cooperating therewith tending to hinder ,rota tion of the sleeve undercertain conditions.

Fig. 4c is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the planes of the axes ab and ferred form of embodiment-of the present .of arrow 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '5 isa view on the line 5-5 of Fig. Fig. 6 1s ELVlGW looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig.4.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side view .of .the

engine starting apparatus showing parts thereof in operative positions before the pinion is manually rotated into meshing registration with the engine gear.

Fig. 8 is a view similarto Fig. 7,.but showing the apparatus when the pinion has been meshed with the engine gear and before the motor switch is closed.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the parts of'the mechanism before actuator has been released and after the enginehas become self-operative.

. Figs. 10 and 11 are mechanical diagrams showing the operation of mechanism for easier manually turning the motor driven shaft into a new position before repeating the starting operation in case of a jam between a pinion and engine gear.

In the drawings, 20, designates a supporting bracket or gear housing member by which the starting apparatus is attached to the frame of an engine not shown. The frame 20 supports a bearing 21 for an armature shaft 22 which is rotatable within a field frame 23 attached to the housing 20 and is journaled at its left end not shown within a bearing provided by the field frame. The shaft 22 is provided with helical splines 24 along which an internally helically splined pinion 25 is movable endwise in a helical path toward an engine gear 26 and into mesh with said gear due to the operation of a manually operated mechanism to be described. Motion of the pinion 25 toward the right in Fig. 1 is arrested b its engagement with a stop member provic ed by a wire split ring 27 oocupying'a groove 28 in the shaft 22. End thrust of the shaft toward the right is transmitted to the housing 20 by thrust washer 29.

The manually or pedally operated mechanism for manually causing the pinion 25 to mesh with the gear 26 and then to cause the motor to turn the shaft 22 comprises a tubular sleeve 30 which is attached to and is maintained concentric with a hub 31, slidable along the shaft 22, by means of annular discs 32 and 33, the latter having an annular row ofclutch teeth 34 adapted to cooperate with clutch teeth 35 provided by the left end faces of the teeth of the pinion. 25. Obviously, if the sleeve 30 is moved endwise along the shaft, the pinion 25 will be pushed against the gear 26 and the clutch teeth 34 and 35 will be rotated so that the pinion may be rotated by rotating the sleeve 30 when necessary to move the pinion into meshing registration with the gear after it has engaged the latter. The mechanism for moving the sleeve 30 toward the right in Fig. 1 and for rotating the same under the conditions mentioned comprises a pin or stud 36 which is movable longitudinally of the sleeve 30 and is received by an oblique slot 37 formed'therein. The pin 36 is mounted on the lower'arm of a lever38 which is pivotally supported on a screw or bolt 39 attached to the gear housing 20. The upper arm of the lever 38 is connected with a pedal rod 40 which slides through the floorboard 41 of the vehicle. The pedal 40 and lever 38 are normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. l by a spring 42 which is expandible or contractable within a recess 43 provided by the housing 20 and which urges a plunger 44 againstthe lever 38. The spring 42 operates also to apply a brake to the armature 22 so that motion may be quickly arrested after a starting operation has been performed so that the starting operation may be repeated as promptly as possible in case of a false start, meaning a condition wherein the engine has operated only long enough to demesh the pinion from its gear but does not remain self-operative. The brake referred to includes a brake disc which is attached to the shaft 22, a floating brake disc 51, a floating brake disc 52, and the annular disc 32. Obviously the spring 42 in urging the disc 32 toward the disc 50, will force the disc 51 against the disc 50. The braking effect is produced by causing the disc 51 to remain stationary clue to the engagementof a lug 53 extending from the disc 51 with a plate 54 which is attached to the housing 20 by a screw 55 and is prevented from rotating about the screw 55 by providing the plate 54 with a lug 56 extending into a hole 57 provided in the housing 20.

In order to prevent the turning of the sleeve 20 by the movement of the pin 36 toward the right of Fig. 1 until it is necessary to turn the sleeve 30 in order to turn the pinion into meshing registration with the engine gear, the sleeve 30 is shaped as shown in Figs. 3to 6 inclusive so as to provide surfaces 60 and 61 at difierent distances from the axis of the sleeve and connected by a ledge or shoulder 62 which normally is engaged by spring pressed plunger 63 guided by recess 64 in the frame 20 and urged by a spring 65 toward the sleeve 30. i A screw plug 66 retains the spring 65 within the recess 64. Since this feature is not my invention but is described and claimed inthe copending application of John B. Dyer referred to, this feature will be described here very briefly. The normal position of the plunger is at 63 in Fig. 5. When the sleeve 30 has been moved endwise a distance represented by line ba which distance is sufficient to cause the pinion to touch the engine gear as shown in Fig. 7, the position of the plunger 63 relative to the sleeve 30 will be as indicated at 63 in Fig. 5. During the rotation of the sleeve 30 by the operation of lever 38 in a counterclockwise direction in order to move the pinion into meshing registration with the engine gear, the sleeve moves relative to the plunger the-distance represented by the line cb in Fig. 5' and the position of the plunger 63 relative to the sleeve at the instant of gear meshing is indicated at 63" in Fig. 5. During the movement of the sleeve 30 toward the right in Fig. 1 in order to move the pinion into mesh with the engine gear as shown in Fig. 8, the relative movement between the plunger and sleeve will be represented by line cZ-c and the position of the plunger relative to the sleeve just before cranking the engine will be as indicated at 63 in Fig. 5. During the cranking of the engine, the sleeve 30 will move relatively to the plunger 63 in a helical path as indicated by the line ed and the position of the plunger 63 relative to the sleeve 30. before. the engine becomes braking rotation of the shaft 22,

self-operative will be indicated at '63. This position of the sleeve is shown in .Fig. 9, and it will be understood that the sleeve 30 moves'in an oblique or helical path due to the coaction between the side of the slot 37 and the pin 36 which then remains stationary. Fig. 9 shows the condition of the apparatus after the engine has become self-operative located relative to the plunger 63 when in the relativepositlon 63 that 1t 1s necessary for the operator to release the pedal 40 in order to permit the plunger 63 to return to the relative position 63 before a starting opera tion can be performed.

lVhile Fig. 5 indicates movement of the plunger 63 relative to the sleeve 30 into five different positions it will be understood that in fact the sleeve moves relative to the plunger. When the actuating pedal is re leased, the sleeve 30-will be rotated as represented by line -ae in Fig. 5 due to the ,coaction of the pin 36 and side of the slot tional resistance to the return rotation of sleeve 30 is that present between its hub 31 and the shaft and that between its end disc 32 and the disc 52. ()n the other hand, when which rotates clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, the disc 51 is held stationary, so that both sides of it operate as braking surfaces.

Assume that when the pinion 25 has been moved into the position shown in Fig. 7, the pinion cannot be easily rotated relative to the gear 26 in order to mesh the pinion with the gear, due to roughening the end faces ofthe abutting teeth. When these conditions arise, the operator will release the pedal 40 to permit the lever 38 to return to normal position, In doing so, the lever 38 moves a pawl 80 pivoted thereon at 81 from a position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in 11. The point 32 .of the pawl 80 a ratchet 83 provided by the disc and thus rotates the shaft 22 to a position differing from that previously occupied by an angular distance such that, when the pinion meshing operation is repeated the pinion can be readily meshed with this engine gear.

Countercloclrwise rotation of the pawl 5 relative to .the lever .38 is limited by providing the lever with a stop as for receiving lug 85 of the pawl .80. Hence the pawl 80 occupies the position shown in Fig. 8 during the engine cranking operation, and the position shown in Fig. 9 after theengine becomes self-operative and before the pedal is released.

In order that the pawl 80 will not be ongaged by the ratchet 83 except when n e'iled,

the pawl carries a lug 86 engageable wi h a plane part of the disc 50, as shown n Fi 1.

The motor 1s controlled by a switch enclosedby a case 90 attached to the motor frame and operated :by a plunger 91 which moves toward the motor frame into switch closing position, and which is moved by a spring 92 away from the motor frame into switch open position. The plunger 91 is located in the path of movementjof a stud 93- attached to the lever 38, and normally spaced from the plunger 91 at a distance such that the switch will not be closed until after the pinion 25 has been nearly fully meshed with the gear 26 :as shown in Fig.8; After-the switch is closed the operation of the motor will move the pinion against the stop'ring 28, this position of the pinion being'indi- .cated by dash-and-dot lines -25 Fig. 8.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form. it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows: i

1. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, means for connecting the shaft with an engine to be started and including a pinion connected with the shaft and movable into 'mesh with an engine gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the wear when the engine starts, manually. operated means for moving the pinion into mesh with the gear and having provisions for rotating the pinion while it is pressed against the gear, and means operable upon the release ofthe manually operable means for rotating the shaft.

2. Engine starting apparatus comprising, ,in combination, a motor, a helically splined shaft driven by the motor, a pinion connected rob ' connected with the shaft and movable into mesh with an engine gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the gear when the engine starts, manually operated means for moving the pinion into mesh with the gear and having provisions for rotating the pinion while it is pressed against the gear, said provisions including a sleeve movable along said shaft and a manually operated member movable longitudinally of the shaft and received by an oblique surface provided by the sleeve, and means for braking rotation of the shaft and including a brake surface connected with the shaft, a brake surface connected with the sleeve, a brake member floating between said brake surfaces, means for moving the manually operated member so as to cause the brake surfaces to engage the floating brake member through movement of the sleeve away from the pinion and to cause the sleeve to rotate to normal position in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the shaft, and a stationary stop limiting rotation of the floating brake member only in the direction of rotation of the shaft. 1

5. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaftdriven by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started including a pinion engageable with the gear, and provisions whereby the pinion may be automatically demeshed from the gear when.

the engine becomes self-operative; a driven clutch connected with the pinion; a driving clutch endwise movable into'operative engagement with the driven clutch; amanually operable member for controlling the motor; a device operated by the manually operable member for moving the driving clutch axially and rotatively in order to move the driving-clutch into engagement with the driven clutch and the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and to rotate the pinion prior to meshing incase the pinion abuts the gear teeth; and means operable upon release of the manually operable member for rotating the shaft.

6. An engine starter comprising, in combination", a motor; a manually Operable member for controlling the motor; a shaft driven by the motor; means for connectingthe shaft with the gear of an engineto be started and including a pinion slidable along the shaft into meshwith the engine gear, and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts; a driven clutch member connected with the pinion, a driving clutch member freely rotatable on the shaft and axially movable into engagement with the driven clutch; a device operated by the manually operable member for moving the clutch members axially in order to move the pinion into mesh with the gear, and for rotating the clutch members in case the pinion abuts the gear prior to'meshing therewith;and means operable upon release of the manually operable member for rotating the shaft.

7. An engine starter comprising, in combination, a motor; a manually operable member for controlling the motor; a shaft driven by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion slidable along the shaft into mesh with the engine gear, and provisions whereby t is pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts; a driven clutch member connected with the pinion, a driving clutch member freely rotatable on the shaft and axially movable into engagement with-the driven clutch; a device operated by the manually operable member for moving the clutch members axially in order to move the pinion into mesh with the gear, and for rotating the clutch members in case the pinion abuts the gear prior to meshing therewith; means resilient ly tending to prevent rotation of the clutch by the manually operable member, while permitting endwise movement of the clutch to move the pinion into engagement with the engine gear; and means operable upon release of the manually operable member for rotating the shaft.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts; manually operable means for shifting the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and for rotating the pinion in case the pinion teeth collide with the engine gear teeth, said means including two members movable along the shaft, one of said members being rotatable, and one of said members having a part located oblique to the direction of bodily motion of said members and engaged by the other member whereby the rotatable, manually operable member may be rotated by the other member when moved along the shaft, and means for connecting the rotatable memher with the pinion; and means operable upon movement therewith and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts;

7 a device for shifting the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and for rotating the pinion in case the pinion teeth collide with the engine gear teeth, said device including two members movable longitudinally of the shaft, said members having an oblique slot and pin connection with each other for movement together longitudinally of the shaft, and for angular movementone relative to the other when longitudinal movement of one of the members is obstructed, said memher being adapted to shift the pinion longitudinally and to rotate the pinion; manually operable means for actuating saiddevioe; and means operable upon release of the manually operable means for rotating the shaft.

10. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

in combination, a motor; a shaft operated by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary.

movement therewith and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts;

- a device for shifting the pinion endwise into whereby the sleeve may be rotated in Case movement thereof is obstructed, said sleeve and pinion having clutching means for imparting rotation to the pinion a manually operable member for actuating said pin; and means operable upon release of the manually operable member for rotating the shaft.

11. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a motor switch mounted upon the motor field frame; a housing extending from one end of the motor frame; a shaft driven by the motor and supported by the motor frame and housing and provided with a spirally splined; portion; a pinion directly connected with said splined portion of the shaft; a lever pivoted on the housing and adapted to operate themotor switch and having an .arm extending within the housing and carrying a pin movable longifor rotating the shaft.

tudinally of theshaft; a sleeve'movable along the shaft and having an oblique slot receiving the pin; and axially engageable clutching means provided by the sleeve .and pinion whereby the pinion will be rotated in case the pinion teeth abut the engine gear; and' means operable uponthe releaseof the lever 12. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a motor. switch mounted upon the motor field frame; a housing extending from one end of the motor 7 frame; a shaft driven by the motor and supported by the motor frame and housing and provided'with a spirally splined portion; a pinion directly connected with said splined' portion of the. shaft, axially engageable driving and driven clutch members, the driven .member being provided by the pinion; a device for causing the clutch members to en-,

gage and to move the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and for rotating the clutch members in case the pinion teeth abut the engine gear teeth manually operable means for causing said device to mesh the. pinion with the gear and then forcausing the switch to be closed; means'responsive to the operation of the motor while cranking the engine for causing the driving clutch member to be retracted from the driven clutch memher; and means operable upon the release of the manually operable means for rotating the shaft. i

13. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

in combination, a motor; a shaft operated bythe motor; means for connecting the shaft with thegear of an engine to be'started and including a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed' 1 from the engine gear-when the engine starts;

a device for shifting the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and forrotating the pinion in case the pinion teeth collide with.

the engine gear teeth, said device including a sleeve movable along thefshaft and provided with a slot oblique to theshaft, and a pin movable longitudinally of the shaft and engaging the slot, whereby the pin and sleeve, may move together 'to move the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and whereby the sleeve may be rotated in case movement thereof is obstructed, said sleeve and pinion having clutching. means for imparting rotation to the pinion; manually operable means for ac tuating said device; means tending to resist rotation of the sleeve to the shaft as the sleeve begins its movement from its normal position toward pinion meshing position; and means operable upon the release of the manually o erable means for rotating the shaft. 14. Enginestarting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated by the motor; means connecting the shaft with engaging the slot, whereby the pin and sleeve may move together to move the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and whereby the sleeve may be rotated in case movement thereof is obstructed, said sleeve and pinion having clutching means for imparting rotation to the pinion; manually operable means for actuating said device; cooperating axially engageable brake members connected respectively with the shaft and with the sleeve, and a spring for returning the sleeve to normal or non-operating position and for causing the brake members to be engaged whereby motion of the shaft may be quickly arrested; and means operated by said spring for rotating the shaft.

15. 'An engine starter drive comprising, in combination, a" rotatable drive-connectingmember movable axially into driving relation with a rotatable part of the engine to be started; automatic means for disconnecting the drive-connecting-member from the en- 5 gine part when the engine starts; a manually operable device forinoving the drive-connecting-member into driving engagement with the engine part, said device including two members, one of which is rotatable coaxially of the means for connecting the drive-connecting member with the rotatable, manually operable member, and means for connecting the manually operable members for endwise movement together, or so that endwise movement of one member relative to the other will effect rotation of the rotatable, manually operable member; and means effective upon the release ofthe manually operable device for effecting rotation of the" drive-connectingmember.

16. An engine starter drive comprising, in combination, a rotatable drive-connectingmember movable axially into driving relation with a rotatable part of the engine to be started; automatic means for disconnecting the drive connecting-member from the engine part when the engine starts; a manually operable device for moving the drive-connecting-member into driving engagement with the engine part, said device including a member rotatable coaXially of the drive-connectin -member and movable axially into eng'agement with the drive-connecting-member,

drive-connecting-member, 7

means for rotatively connecting said members, a manually operable part movable along the rotatable, manually operable member, and means for connecting the manually operable part and member so that tiey may move together and so that, in-case axial movement'of the rotatable manually operable member is arrested, further movement of the manually operable part will effect rotation of the manu- I ally operable member; and means responsive to the release of the manually operable member for effecting rotation of the drive-connecting-member. v

17 An engine starter drive comprising, in combination, a rotatable drive-connectingmember movable axially into driving relation with a rotatable part of the engine to be started; automatic means for disconnecting the drive-connecting member from the engine part when the engine starts; a manually operable device for moving the drive-connectingmember into driving engagement with the engine part, said device including two elements adapted to move in the direction of move ment of the drive-connecting-member when approaching the engine part, one of said elements being rotatable coaxially of the driveconnecting-member and engageable with said member, means for rotatively connecting the rotatable element and the drive-connecting member, and means for connecting the elements so that, when the rotatable element is moved axially by the other manually operable element, the rotatable element tends to rotate, and means tending to resist rotation of the rotatable, manually operable element; and means responsive to the release of the manually operable element for effecting rotation of the drive-connecting-"nember.

18. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed rom the engine gear when the engine starts; means for shifting the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and for rotating the pinion'in case the pinionteeth collide with the engine gear teeth, said means including a sleeve movable along the shaft and provided with slot oblique to the shaft, and a pin movable longitudinally of the shaft and engaging the slot, whereby the pin and sleeve may move together to move the pinion int-o mesh with the engine gear and whereby the sleeve may be rotated in case movement thereof is obstructed, said sleeve and pinion having clutching means for imparting rotation to the pinion; a frame adjacent the sleeve; means tending to resist rotation of the sleeve and comprising frictionally engageable parts one carried by the frame and the other conthe pinion will be automatically,demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts; means for-shifting the pinion endwise into mesh with the engine gear and for rotating the pinion in case the pinion teeth collide with the engine: teeth, said means including a sleeve movable along. the shaft and providedwith slot oblique to the shaft, and a pin movable. longitudinally of the shaft and engagingthe slot, whereby the pin and sleeve may move together to move the pinion into mesh with theengine gear and whereby the sleeve may be rotated in case movement thereof isobstructed, said sleeve and pinion having clutching means for imparting rota.- tionto the pinion; means tending frictionally to i'esist-rotation'ofthe. sleeve during a substantial portion of the-movement oi the sleeve toward the pinion, said means beinginoperative whilethe pinion is rotated by the sleeve in case of gear-tooth abutment; and means effective upon the return of the pins to normalposition for causingthe shaft to rotate. A V

20. An engine starter-drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement with a member of the engineito be started; and manually operable means vfor moving the drivingmem-' ber axially,.andlfor rotating it when necessary: uo efieet its driving engagement with the engine member, said means including a rotatable engagement-producing membei mounted for movement'axially of the:driv ing member, actuating. means tending both to rotate and to move longitudinallythe en gagement-producing member, and frictional means including a non-rotatable part tends ing toresist rotation oi the engagement-producing member; andmeans effective upon return of the actuating means to normal position for causing the driving. member to rotate 21. An enginestarter drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement with a member of the engine to be started; manually operable means for moving-the driving member axially, and forrotating it when necessary to effect its driving engagementwith the: enginev member, said means including a rotatable. engagement-producing member mounted formovement axially of thedriving. member, anl'actuator movable. in the direct-ion :of axial movement; of the engagement-producing member, means for transmitting motion from the actuator to the engagement-producing vmember tending to move the latter rotarily and longitudinally, and i'rictional means including a non-rotatable part tending to resist rotation of the engagement-producing member; and means eiiective upon return of the actuator to normal position for causing'the driving member to rotate. r

i 22. An: engine starter drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to .move axially into drivingengagement with a memberof the engineto be started; manually operated means for moving the driving memberax-ially, and for rotating it when neces sary to. effect its driving engagement with the engine member, said nieansincludinga rotatable, engagement-producing member mounted for movement-axially of the driving member and provided-with apart oblique to its line of axial movement, an actuator engageable with said oblique part to tend both torotate and to move axially the engagement-producing member, and a nonrotatable part engageable with the engagement-producing 'member to: resist rotation thereof;.and means efiective upon'the return oi -the actuator to normal position for causing the driving member to rotate,

'23.- An engine starter drive comprising, a

rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement with a member of the engine to be started; manually operable means for moving the driving member axially, and forrotating; it when necessary to efi'ectiits driving engagement with the engine member, saidmeans includ: ing, a tubular, rotatable, engagement-producingmember mounted for movement axially of the driving member and provided witha slot oblique to its-line of axial m0vement', an actuator pin, engageable with said slot and movable substantially. in the diree tion of axial movementof thedriving member in order totend both torotate and to move axially: the engagement-producing member, and a non-rotatable part. engagea ble with theengagement-producing member,

to resist rotation thereof; and means efiective upon the return of the pin to normal position for causing. the driving member to rotate. a

24. An enginelstarter drive comprising,;a drive: shaft, a pinion connected with and movable. axially along the shaftinto engagement with a-gear connected with theengine to bezstarted; manually operatedmeans for moving the pinion along the shaft, and for rotating it when necessary-,to effect driving engagement with the engine gear, said means including an engagement-producing member movable axially of the shaft-into contact with the pinion and rotatable independently ofthe shaft, means.rotatively ,eonnecting the member and pinion, actuating means tending torotate and axially move the member, and a non-rotatablepart cooperating with the member to resist rotation thereof; and means effective upon the return'movement of the actuating means to normal position for rotating the shaft.

25. An engine starter drive comprising, a drive shaft; a pinion connected with and movable axially along the shaft into engagement with a gear connected with the engine to be started; manually operated means for moving the pinion along the shaft, and for rotating it when necessary, to effect driving engagement with the engine gear, said means including a cylindrical engagement-producing member mounted to move along the shaft toward the pinionand having means clutching with the pinion to rotate the latter and having a part oblique to its line of axialmovement, an actuator movable along the shaft for engaging the oblique part in order to tend both to rotate and to axially move the member, and a non-rotatable part cooperating with the member to resist rotation thereof; and means efiective upon the return movement of the actuating means to normal position for rotating the shaft.

26. An engine starter drive comprising, a drive shaft; a pinion connected with and movable axially along the shaft into engagement with a gear connected with the engine to be started; manually operated means for moving the pinion along the shaft, and for rotating it when necessary, to effect driving engagement with the engine gear, said means including a tubular engagement-producing member mounted upon the shaft and movable axially into engagement with the pinion and having an annular'row of clutch teeth engageable with the pinion teeth in order to rotate the pinion, said member having a slot oblique to the line of axial movement of the pinion, a pin movable along the shaft and received by the oblique slot whereby the pin tends to rotate and to axially move the mem ber, and a stationary part cooperating with the member to resist rotation thereof, and means effective upon the return movement of the pin to normal position for rotating the shaft.

27. An-engine starter drive comprising, a drive shaft; a pinion connected with and movable axially along the shaft into engagement with a gear connected with the engine to be started; manually operated means for moving the pinion along the shaft, and for rotating it when necessary, to efiect driving engagement with the engine gear, said means including an engagement-producing member movable axially of the shaft into contact with the pinion and rotatable independently of the shaft, means rotatively connecting the member and pinion actuating means to rotate and axially move the member, a part return movement of the manual means to normal position for causing the shaft to rotate.

28. An engine starter drive comprising, a driving shaft, a driving member connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof into driving engagement with a member of the engine to bestarted; and manuallyoperated means for moving the driving member along the shaft, and for rotating it when necessary, to effect its driving engagement with the engine member, said means including an engagement-producing member movable along the shaft and rotatable independently thereof, an actuator movable alongside the shaft, means for transmitting motion from the actuator to the engagement producing member tending to move the latter rotarily and longitudinally, a part connected with the member and providing a longitudinally extending shoulder between surfaces located at different distances from the axis of the member, and a stationary plunger spring urged normally against the surface lying at the lesser distance from the axis of the member and engageable-with said shoulder in order to tend toresist rotation of the member; and means responsive to the return movement of the manual means to normal position for causing the shaft to rotate.

29. An engine starter drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement, with a member of the engine to bestarted, and providing an axially engageable driven clutch element; a rotatable member providing a driving clutch element axially engageable with the driven clutch of the driving member; means for moving the driving clutch axially toward the driven clutch and for rotating the latter in case its axial movement is obstructed; and friction means including a fixed part tending to resist rotation of the driving clutch; and means responsive to the return movement of the clutch moving means to normal position for causing the driving member to rotate.

30. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated by the motor; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started andincluding a pinion mounted on the shaft for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith and provisions whereby 'the pinion will be automatically deaxially move the member, and means including a non-rotatable part for frictionally resisting rotation of the member; and means operating during the return movement of the manual means to normal position for causing the shaft to rotate. a

31. An engine starter drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement with a member of the engine to be started; an axially and rotarily movable engagement-producing member for moving the driving member axially, and rotatively when necessary, to effect its driving engagement with the engine driven member; an actuator movable along the engagement-producing member; means so connecting the actuator and engagementproducing member that movement of the actuator from normal position tends to rotate and to axially move the engagement-producing member, into coaction with the driving member, and rotation of the engagementproducing member in one direction while the actuator is relatively stationary causes axial movement of the engagement-producing member away from coaction with the driving member, and return of the actuator to normal position produces rotation of the engagement-producing member to normal posuch direction that it will be axially retracted from coaction with the driving member; a device for resisting rotation of the engagement producing member during a part of its movement from normal position into coaction with the driving member, said device being restored to operation by the return rotation of the engagement-producing member to normal posit-ion; and means for causing the driving member to rotate when the actuator returns to normal position.

32. A11 engine starter drive comprising, a drive shaft; a driving member connected with the shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof into driving engagement with a member of the engine to be started; an engagement-producing member journalled upon the shaft and movable axially into coaction with the driving member, and yieldably connected with the shaft so that rotation of the shaft tends to rotate it; an actuator movable along the shaft; means so connecting the actuator and engagement-producing member that movement of the actuator from normal position tends to rotate and to axially move the engagement-producing member into coaction with the driving member, and rotation of the engagement-producing member by the shaftwhen operating the driving member while the actuator is relatively stationary causes axial retraction of the engagement-producing member from the driving member, and return of the actuator to normal position produces rotation of the engagement-producing member to normal position; a device for resisting rotation of the engagement producing member during a part of its .movement from normal position into coaction with the driving member, said device being restored to operation by the return rotation of the engagement producing member to normal position; and means causing the shaft to rotate when the actuator returns to normal position. o o r 33. An engine starter drive comprising, a rotatable driving member mounted to move axially into driving engagement with a member ofthe engine to be started; an axially and rotarily movable engagement-producing member for moving the driving member axially, and rotarily when necessary, to effect its drivingengagement with the engine driven member; an actuator movable along the engagement-producing member; cam

ming means connected with the engagementproducing member and coacting with the actuating member so that movement of the actuating member away from normal position tends to rotate and to axially move the engagement-producing member into coaction with the driving member; a device for resisting rotation of the engagement-producing member during a part of its axial movement into coaction With the driving member; camming means connected with the engagement-producing member and cooperating with the actuator for restoring the engagement-producing member to normal position and the rotation-resisting device to normal operation in response to the return of the actuating member to normal position; and means causing the driving member to rotate when the actuator returns to normal position.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my sig nature.

JOHN W. LAWSON. 

